Maybe you guys can help me?

So here's the deal... I have a 2003 VFR 800. I bought it about a year ago, it had been wrecked. The spark plug had exploded, so I had to tap the hole and use a bigger diameter spark plug. (same plug, just bigger) also did all the bodywork etc.

(I worked at a bodyshop for 2 years so I know plenty about bodywork, but don't know much about engines or anything, which is why I need your help)

It's worked fine for a couple weeks, then last night when I was riding the engine died (lights still on etc) I may have been going over some rail road tracks when it died (not for sure though, may have been before)

When you try and start it, it tries and turns over but that is it. Sounds like it comes close to starting sometimes but never does. I changed the fuse just to make sure.

Any ideas?

 

oh! I just checked and the fuel pump isn't priming... does that mean new fuel pump? :frown:

 

you're looking at a number of possibilities.
but if it's trying to start but it's not i'd check the ignition coils and the spark plug wires and caps. see that everything is making good contact with one-another.

then there's always the chance it's a fuel system issue. and since these bikes are fuel injected it could be any number of sources; air intake leak, fuel filter (or fuel line) clogged, bad fuel pump, one of the injectors clogged and the list goes on...

first thing to check would be to make sure you're getting fuel to the injectors. then check each injector. no fuel = no start

 

ok so you posted you finding as i was composing some possible solutions.
good to see i was right on track [pat on back]

when you flip the kill switch (right thumb) with the ignition on, do you hear the fuel pump prime for about 2-3 seconds?

if not, then yes a new pump is in your future. unfortunately you're looking at around $150-$200.

 

Just tried it, and no it does not prime at all.

The red FI light turns on for about 2 seconds when I flip the kill switch on/off.

Is there anything else that could be the problem that I could try before I go drop a bunch of money of a fuel pump?

 

so, with the ignition on - kill switch off - when you flip that kill switch on, you should hear the pump prime the injectors. it's not a sound you need to put your ear up against the bike to hear. it's fairly loud and unmistakable. if you don't hear anything, it's obvious you're fuel pump isn't working.

perhaps it's not the fuel pump itself. the fuel pump has its own fuse. check to make sure that's still good. it's a 10A located in the fuse box. there's a main fuse box under the seat. but i believe the fuel pump would be connected to the circuit fuse box which is located under one of the inner panels. (those are the black plastic under each handlebar). on the ABS model, the circuit fuse box is under the left side. and non-ABS under the right.
there's also a fuel cut-off relay under the upper right cowl next to the radiator. it's unlikely, but that could have gone bad.
check the fuses first. then maybe remove the fuel pump, you can't miss it. it's mounted to the bottom of the tank and play with that a bit. just doesn't seem likely a fuel pump goes bad after 6 years of service.
my money's on the fuse!

 

I know what the fuel pump priming sounds like and it's for sure not. Tomorrow when I have more time I will look at those fuses under the panel and report back. I seriously hope it's one of the fuses and not a $200 fuel pump

Thanks for your help so far!

 

If the FI light is coming on than that helps you immeasurably, locate the service plug...it is typically a two wire red connector, next to the ecm under, the right side of the upper cowl. Remove the upper cowl. With the key off, jump the service plug with a piece of solid wire or a paper clip. Turn the key to the on position and count the flashes of the FI light on the dash.....once you have accurately ascertained the number of flashes, go into the fueling section (chapter 5) of the service manual and look up what the problem is. I would start there and let the machine help you with solving the problem.

Special Note...the mil, or fi light, will only flash if the sidestand is down and the engine run/stop switch is set to RUN

 

Okay, the FI light is only coming on when I flip the kill switch, is that at the correct time?

btw I haven't taken the cowl off yet or anything, I will do that tomorrow.

 

Oh, and uh... I don't have a manual, lol

Is there anywhere online I can look at one?

 

How about right on this sight - LINK
Note - the 2002 manual will work for your 03


Action

 

How long do you let it turn over?

What's the condition of your battery? A crappy battery can cause a myriad of different problems. It may even hold a full charge but drain super fast(bad cell?). When my battery went, my bike stalled when I came to a stop. New battery = zero problems.

 

1.Rule out that the FI is not the problem. Easy to check with the service connector.
2. While you have the upper cowl off, check the fuse for the fuel pump, confirm continuity across the fuse, replace if necessary, if continuity test confirms the fuse is good re-insert the fuse.
3. Confirm the correct operation of the fuel cut off relay. The relay is in the same vicinity of the fuse box. If that checks out go to number 4.
4. Proceed to checking that the connectors to the fuel pump are not corroded and that they are still attached and making a positive connection. If that checks out.
5. Disconnect the power connector to the fuel pump, with a multi meter, check voltage at the connector confirming the condition of the wiring to the pump. this is done with the key in the on position, if voltage is good, reconnect the power connector to the pump.
5. If all of the above checks out and the pump will still not operate, your pump is toast.

The entire troubleshooting process is documented with pictures in the service manual, start at step one and proceed until you find the problem. While you are at it, you might want to confirm that the wiring harness recall has been completed and check that off the list as well.

 

Just got a brand new battery a week ago. I let it turn over quite a bit, multiple times. I have the fairing off and am checking the fuses right now. Hopefully it's just a fuse.

 

fuses aren't the problem... moving on to this.

 

well lets start with u have gas in tank? then you have spark? hold the sparkplug in hand hit starter to see if its hot, then is fuel line clogged?? run a gas bag to tank to see if fuel pump is working, now this big hole sparkplug sounds crazy u bend a valve? try priming each cylinder if it fires then its a fuel delivery problem but always go gas? or spark if engine is tuning over then thats it .....:thumbsup:

 

What is the service connector and how do I use it? I am downloading the manual right now but I'm on super slow internet and it has an hour left, lol

 

The fuel pump isn't priming So spark and everything else doesn't really matter until I figure out why the fuel pump isn't priming

 

Okay, so I did the self diagnostic thing and the FI light blinks long twice. Then has 2 short blinks.

I take this for meaning 2 blinks since there isn't 4 blinks in the manual.

According to the manual this means that there us a loose or poor connection of the MAP sensor vacuum hose, and that the MAP sensor is faulty.

But it also says that the engine should operate normally... which it doesn't. It won't start at all.

So where does that get me?